The recently installed Bishop of Derby, the Rt Rev'd Dr Alastair Redfern, joined shoppers in the Eagle Centre today to highlight his first Christmas message to the people of Derbyshire.

He was accompanied by children from St James's CofE Junior School, Derby, who sang carols, senior managers from the Eagle Centre, and the Rev'd Paul Taylor from St Peter's City Centre Church.

The Bishop will present three gifts bought in the Eagle Centre to Derby City Mission for the Giving Tree, a charity operation run in partnership between Derby City Mission and Westfield Shopping Towns, which owns the Eagle Centre. The Tree is covered in tags, each providing a few details about a child, (e.g. Eric, boy, aged 4). Shoppers take a tag and buy a gift in the Centre for the child. Gifts are then returned to the Tree, and passed on to underprivileged families in Derby.

After presenting the gifts, as a sign of the seasonal goodwill, the Bishop and others handed out to shoppers 100 cartons containing eight premium chocolates, kindly donated by Thornton's.

Ends

Christmas Message from the Rt Rev'd Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby

GIVING PEACE ON EARTH
Not just a gimmick

Today (Friday December 16th) I was giving out Thornton’s chocolate in a shopping centre.

Is this a gimmick – a one-off that makes me or someone else feel good for a moment? That might be one way of thinking about giving at Christmas. We feel responsible for making some people feel good at this special season. So parents treat children, work mates treat each other, and the Bishop gives out chocolates to strangers!

But we all know giving is more than a one-off moment. The preparation and choosing of gifts, then the receiving and remembering, all takes time, effort, wondering. Giving is a gesture of love. It reminds us that we love and are loved. At Christmas, behind the bustle of shopping and struggling to get everything done, is the miracle that what each of us needs is to love and be loved.

The Christian gospel is about the gift of a child – a new life to be a sign and model of new life for every person. Jesus means 'Saviour'. This new life is one of thanks for the miracle of life, of love, of light when darkness threatens. This life and love and light is for everyone – for our families and friends, as a sign of how we need to treat every person given breath by God. 'Peace on earth and goodwill among all', as the angels sing. And that is why I gave chocolates to strangers, as a sign of goodwill. And every gift you give will not be a gimmick, but a sign of love for everyone: that is the good news of Christmas.

I was accompanied in the shopping centre by children from St. James’ Junior School, Derby, singing carols of God’s amazing love. New life, true love, light in the darkness. Perhaps, despite the hustle and bustle to get everything done and all your presents organised, you might say a prayer and make a gift to a charity, so that you can spread love a little wider too. You don’t need to be a Bishop helped by Thornton’s – you just need a heart to give. Then the angels’ song will be more real, and our lives much better too.

Giving can never be a gimmick – giving is simply the sharing of love. May that be the Christmas message of all of us.

+Alastair